Some unlicensed medical marijuana businesses in Michigan will be able to stay open. They were in danger of having to close their doors in the next few days.
Andrew Brisbo directs the Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation. He says the agency will be extending the September 15th licensing deadline. That will allow specific operators to continue serving patients while waiting for state approval.
“We have been aware of the feedback and hearing the concerns of everyone that is related to the industry as well as patients as it relates to access," he says.
The Bureau says it will release more information on Tuesday about the extended deadline and which businesses will qualify.
Thomas Mayes owns Greenwave Provisioning Center in Lansing. He said he's waiting on both the city and the state to grant him operating licenses for his business.
Since he won't make the state's September 15th licensing deadline, he's waiting to find out what that means for his employees and patients.
“I have 20 employees that work here, so all 20 employees would be laid off. I have a few hundred patients that rely on this place for their medicine every single day – they’ll all be limited,” he says.
The state says it has received more than 400 operating applications and approved 37.
